The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop cold start help.

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Finally got a chance to work on my 1951 3100 with a 235 engine. It's a '62 engine. I changed the plugs & wires. The belt and fluids. New battery. It's on a 12v system. The previous owner said that it had sat since the late '70's.
I put fuel directly into the carburetor, turned it over and never got it to fire. So not sure what it could be. I believe I got the distributor and wires in the correct firing order? Maybe the fuel pump or ? It's my first project so sorry if it's something obvious.
Thank you for any help.

Well it is common to check for spark and gas. Pulling a plug wire and attaching it to a plug laying on the motor will give you a good indication if there is spark. Priming the carb like that will get results regardless of the fuel pump. You also need to make sure that the timing is as near as possible and the plug wires are on correctly.

If it has been sitting that long there is a good chance that the carb needs some attention but I would make sure it is getting spark first. If it is not sparking at the plug check for spark at the coil wire (the big wire in the middle of the distributor cap). Disconnect it from the cap and see if it sparks to ground when you turn over the motor. If there is no spark at the coil wire check the points and condenser.If you are good there the coil might be be the problem. Make sure you are getting voltage to the coil before you change anything. You can hotwire it with a jumper wire from the positive battery terminal to the positive side of the coil if you need to. There really isn't a lot to the ignition system on old engines like this.

Engines need 3 things to get em started, "Compression", Check it first,"Spark", Truckernix described best way, check it second and then Gas, adding some thru the carb is proper to get it to fire.

My suggestion is to check these items in sequence then moving to the next step.I never recommend a massive changing of a bunch of stuff, take it one step at a time. AND if you get stumped, don't hesitate to ASK. The only DUMB question here is the one NOT asked!
Jerry

If it was mine I would pull the spark plugs and put some oil in the cylinders and let it soak, while the oil is soaking in the cylinders I'd pull the gas tank and check the inside and either clean it or replace it. I would also pull the valve cover and squirt some Marvel Mystery oil on the valve stems, then turn the engine over by hand and make sure none of the valves are sticking. Once your sure everything is oiled good and the valves are moving good then do a compression test. If compression is OK then clean and adjust the points, make sure you have 12 volts to the + side of the coil. Then pull the carb and clean it and install a new kit. If the gas tank is ready to go put some gas in otherwise connect a remote gas tank and give it a try. Oh, make sure you have fresh clean oil in it.

Almost every time I have a no-start scenario on an engine that has been sitting for a long time, it is usually crusty point contacts. I pull the distributor cap and manually engage the starter and look for a bright spark at the points as the contacts open. I'm looking for lightening there. If spark is absent or not intense, I clean the contacts.

He mentioned that the truck has been sitting for 30+ years. I have a hard time telling someone to just do the minimum to start it up.

Thanks everyone for the input. I took the valve cover off. All parts are lubricated and moving properly . Still turning over but wont fire. Could it be the timing? If so , how do I know and check it? Thank you everyone.

Let us assume that you have verified the spark operation. Take the valve cover off again. Turn the engine over by hand until the rotor is getting near to pointing at #1 wire. Make sure that both valve rockers on #1 have some play in them. #6 intake rocker should be under pressure at this point. Watch in the little hole above the starter and align the BB up with the pointer. Now adjust the distributor so that the points are just opening. This is how you set the initial timing.

Good point Don, I missed the 30 year part.

Do what Don said!

Carl